The Glowing Man
by Swans
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 71 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 71
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 71
  3. Negative: 4 out of 71
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  1. Typickup
    Sep 15, 2019
    10
    The perfect way to end this era of Swan's discography. More meditative and transcendental than the rest, the band creates massive soundscapes that captivate the listener and feel biblical in scale.
  2. Lovdahl
    Oct 27, 2016
    10
    The Glowing Man is the best album I've heard in years. Gira and his talented group of musical alchemists created a perfect piece of music. I could gush on and on about this project, but a 10 will suffice for now.
  3. alexo774
    Aug 18, 2016
    9
    The more that I listen to this album, the more that I realize that it is my favorite album in the 3 album trilogy that has comprised the latest era of Swans. This album, in its most abrupt moments kicks ass, but also leaves you with a sense of calmness. This is heavy music that isn't exactly aggressive, but peacefully chaotic and beautiful. One of the best albums of the year so far.
  4. barteno
    Aug 20, 2016
    8
    Note this actually the FOURTH Album in the Trilogy (like all Trilogies lately ...it has more than three). Lets not forget "My Father will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky" otherwise known as MFWGMUARTTS . That was actually pretty good though shorter than the more recent three.
    Honestly i havent listened to the new one enough to write a further review but felt compelled to point out the 4th    Note this actually the FOURTH Album in the Trilogy (like all Trilogies lately ...it has more than three). Lets not forget "My Father will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky" otherwise known as MFWGMUARTTS . That was actually pretty good though shorter than the more recent three.
    Honestly i havent listened to the new one enough to write a further review but felt compelled to point out the 4th thing. Can i edit this comment later?? (btw: just had bit of deja vu...really effin weird like when you watch a movie you think you have seen but then it starts to be familiar and then you realize you have seen it but can only vaguely remember...much like that..its gone now).    … Expand
  5. CZot
    Dec 20, 2016
    3
    The Glowing Man is an album that's received some pretty intense praise from music critics, but for the average listener, it is a boring listen. It is not uncommon for Swans to play the same note over and over again for minutes at a time, leaving you wondering if the song you're listening to is even a song or just noise. And when a song is boring, it can be boring for up to 25 minutes.The Glowing Man is an album that's received some pretty intense praise from music critics, but for the average listener, it is a boring listen. It is not uncommon for Swans to play the same note over and over again for minutes at a time, leaving you wondering if the song you're listening to is even a song or just noise. And when a song is boring, it can be boring for up to 25 minutes. (Yes, some of these songs are ridiculously long!) The lead singer's vocals are often very abrasive and tribalistic, and don't add much at all to any of these songs. Despite this, there are some snippets of these various bloated songs that are enjoyable and catchy to listen to. Overall, The Glowing Man appears to me as an over hyped, simplistic album sold as some sort of abstract art piece. But really, it's just boring.… Expand
  6. kermie_the_frog
    Dec 28, 2019
    9
    Absolutely epic record. Perfect closer to their rock trilogy. Swans push the possibilities of creating worlds of sound through repetition. This is not an easily accessible record, it takes time and patience but when you think of this as an atmosphere - not your every day song - then it becomes increasingly thrilling. This record is not "boring" or "too long" it's incremental, it'sAbsolutely epic record. Perfect closer to their rock trilogy. Swans push the possibilities of creating worlds of sound through repetition. This is not an easily accessible record, it takes time and patience but when you think of this as an atmosphere - not your every day song - then it becomes increasingly thrilling. This record is not "boring" or "too long" it's incremental, it's creeping, it's growing.… Expand
  7. phallus
    Jan 28, 2021
    10
    The more i listen the more i realise that swans have absolutely nailed the final instalment of the current era of their discography. This album achieves the trademark tribal, marching feel of Swans, but takes a new twist with a spacey, levitating feel. The way such aggressive cacophonies of sound can be so calming leaves this album deserving of a 10.
  8. Faugustas
    Jun 9, 2021
    10
    Not only my favourite album from the trilogy, but also my favourite album by Swans. WLFTMOI, SFTB, The Seer and To Be Kind and are brilliant, but this is just perfection at it's core!
  9. Motorik6
    Aug 29, 2023
    10
    As good if not better than their previous effort. I particularly love the reliance on ambiance.

Awards & Rankings

97
#97 Most Discussed Album of 2016
96
#96 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Blurt Magazine
    Jul 29, 2016
    80
    Consolidation more than innovation, The Glowing Man still presents the current incarnation of Swans in its best light, as if this is the record the band has been working toward these past seven years.
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  2. Clash Music
    Jul 28, 2016
    80
    With a running time of just under two hours, The Glowing Man may prove too punishing for some but those willing to invest time in its fiery depths will discover yet another remarkable Swans album.
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  3. Rolling Stone
    Jul 11, 2016
    60
    While their long, drawn-out, circling dark clouds remain potent, ultimately The Glowing Man is the weakest of the three powerful epics they've released since 2012. It can be muted and jammy, the build-ups are not as dramatic and it brings little in new ideas for Gira's dead-eyed yowl.
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